STANFORD — Four days before the season opener, Stanford has named a starting quarterback, settled on its safeties and identified a No. 2 receiver.

But the search continues for an answer at the crucial left tackle position.

True freshmen Andrus Peat and Kyle Murphy have emerged as the top contenders to protect quarterback Josh Nunes’ blind side.

The heralded rookies were behind redshirt freshman Brendon Austin when training camp began. If they aren’t ready to start Friday against San Jose State, veteran left guard David Yankey will slide over.

“We’ve seen tremendous growth from both (Peat and Murphy), and we’ll see how much one or both is ready to play,” Cardinal coach David Shaw said Monday.

“If for some reason they aren’t ready to play by the end of the week, we’ll start Yankey. … If we’re not comfortable with a young guy, we’ll go with the old guy.”

Yankey, a junior, has practiced at left tackle and knows the assignments. If he moves, then junior Khalil Wilkes will start at left guard. (Austin is now a backup on the right side.)

“We’ve got some studs out there,” Nunes said. “Whoever it is will be pretty effective.”

Shaw expects a decision Thursday and isn’t concerned about a lack of cohesion despite the last-minute uncertainty.

“They know each other,” he said. “Now it’s just executing the runs and protections.”

Junior Kevin Danser, of Bellarmine College Prep in San Jose, will start at right guard — the position previously manned by All-American David DeCastro.

Danser’s former Bellarmine teammate, Usua Amanam, is No. 1 on the depth chart at nickel back.

“Every now and then we’ll get into it in practice; it’s fun,” Danser said.

Fullback Ryan Hewitt won’t play Friday because of a sprained ankle suffered during training camp. He might be available next week, Shaw said.

Backup fullback Geoff Meinken is out until midseason with a knee injury, leaving two underclassmen to handle the role: Lee Ward and Patrick Skov, the younger brother of linebacker Shayne Skov.

Stanford is not planning to use reserve quarterback Brett Nottingham on Friday — he’ll play only if Nunes gets hurt, Shaw said.

No decision has been made regarding the status of freshman tailback Barry Sanders, who is being considered for a redshirt.

Ty Montgomery was Stanford’s best kickoff returner last season (25.2 yards per return). Problem is, he’s the Cardinal’s best receiver this season.

To keep him fresh and reduce the chances of injury, Montgomery will return kicks only in certain situations. Otherwise, running back Remound Wright and defensive back Alex Carter have emerged as the top options.

A transit village with apartments, retailers, restaurants and a hotel is rising in Milpitas next to The Great Mall, close to light rail and the under-construction BART station. It’s one of several Silicon Valley projects sprouting up near transit.